How would we cope now with 1976’s weather?

JUNE 23, 1976. The first of 15 consecutive days with temperatures recorded above 32 Celsius – 46 years ago and as a 16-year-old I remember it well.

Scorched lawns, standpipes, unwashed cars and unwashed people.

Being asked to share a bath was a step too far in our household, but sharing bathwater was seen as a more suitable alternative.

The weekly five inches of bath water shared with my twin (brother) was either tolerable or incredibly unpleasant, depending who went first.

The brick placed in the cistern meant tough flushing as very often two or even three flushes were required (based on roughage intake)!

As well as the heat night and day, everyone had to endure the invasion of millions of ladybirds that seemed particularly attracted to yellow shirts, blouses and dresses. How would we cope today? Lawns have been replaced in many homes with hard paved drives, timber decking and artificial turf.

Unwashed cars would still be prevalent primarily because the corner car washes would be closed down.

These days, the vast majority of us have showers and for those with baths, it would probably be impossible to fit two individuals with elevated BMIs in the same tub anyway.

The brick in the cistern would be replaced with a hippo and the Mercury Mailbox would receive a cruelty complaint from Elizabeth Allison.

The harlequin ladybird, which has now driven out our native species, would plague us.

Finally, who would be minister for drought? In 1976, it was Denis Howell. Today, a man with similar charisma would be Michael Gove.

The tabloids would brand him as Michael H2Ove

Gary Freestone, Leicester